Watford were one of three clubs relegated from the Premier League last campaign, a year after they returned to the top flight.
Daniel Bachmann made 12 appearances in the league, out of which the Hornets won only one game.
The Austria international’s situation didn’t improve with Watford having three different managers last term. He was interviewed by LAOLA1 and asked about the disappointing campaign in the Premier League.
“Mentally it was difficult, of course, but after that we had a summer break and a relatively long preparation with a completely new coaching team and a heavily changed team, which was also important,” he said,
“Because last season some things just didn’t fit – whether from the coaching side or in the squad. So now it feels like a fresh start.
“It wasn’t an easy season for me personally, of course, but I’ve had a few setbacks in my career. I’ve never been one to stick my head in the sand. Sure, things often happen that you don’t understand. And last year it was like that. The coaches who came didn’t help me.”
Watford sacked Xisco, the manager who helped them reach the top flight, in October 2021 and replaced him with Claudio Ranieri. The Italian was shown the exit door in January and the Hornets brought Roy Hodgson to Vicarage Road.
“It wasn’t that I didn’t play well. I did my best for the most part. I can maybe remember one or two goals that you could say belong to the goalkeeper. But in general, we lost almost every game. The first person to change is the goalkeeper,” the Austrian explained.
“And if they then have a No.2 like Ben Foster, maybe that will come a game earlier. Of course, it was mentally difficult. But I’m someone who keeps going in training and always believes in myself.
“I know how good I am and I’ve proven it often enough. It was a bit of satisfaction for me that I did a great job away at Chelsea in the last game of the season. Thank God I took that feeling with me into the new season.”
Bachmann’s situation at Watford has improved this term in the Championship, and he is now the first-choice player, under Rob Edwards. The Austrian detailed how the change of approach from the new manager has had a positive impact on the club.
“The appointment of a new coach was extremely important. Rob Edwards was a very good decision by the club. At 39, he’s still young, enthusiastic, and has a good relationship with the players – so of course it helps that he’s still at an age when his career wasn’t that long ago,” the keeper stressed.
“He helps us get that enthusiasm and joy of football back. Because last season it was really miserable to come to the training centre. We really didn’t have good working conditions because the atmosphere in the team was really bad.
“Now, of course, there is a big difference. In the Premier League, we were a team that played more defensively. Now we’re the exact opposite, we play a completely different kind of football, we play from the back.
“In principle, you can almost say we are the Manchester City of the Championship. In the Premier League it was often the case that as soon as we were under a bit of pressure, we immediately played a long ball and went for the second ball. That was understandable sometimes. Now we play attractive football with quick combinations.”
